About: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Official: EU will not fund Turkish plan to settle refugees in Afrin
Following indications that Turkey would like to bring Syrian refugees to the area of Afrin, which it has controlled since the ‘Olive Branch’ incursion into northern Syria earlier this year, the EU made clear on Friday (20 April) that it would not be part of the game.
Erdogan calls early elections under state of emergency, new purges underway
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday (18 April) called snap elections for 24 June, saying economic challenges and the war in Syria meant Turkey must switch quickly to the powerful executive presidency that goes into effect after the vote. The...
EU Parliament calls on Erdogan to release imprisoned Greek soldiers
In a resolution expected to be voted on today (17 April), the European Parliament will urge Turkey to release two Greek soldiers who were arrested last month, according to a document seen by EURACTIV.
Erdogan vows to bring back Gülenists from abroad
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday (9 April) his country is determined to continue the fight against what he calls the terrorist movement of Fethullah Gülen and bring home all “traitors” from abroad.
Turkey, Iran, Russia say will work for stability in Syria
Turkey, Iran and Russia pledged yesterday (4 April) to accelerate efforts to bring stability to Syria, underlining their joint commitment to the country a day after President Donald Trump raised the prospect of withdrawing US troops.
Turkey builds first nuclear power plant, with help from Russia
The leaders of Turkey and Russia marked the official start of work to build Turkey's first nuclear power station on Tuesday, launching construction of the $20 billion Akkuyu plant in the southern province of Mersin.
Greek soldiers are ‘political prisoners’ of Turkey, says Weber
Two Greek soldiers who have been held in a Turkish prison for about a month are “political prisoners”, according to the head of the European Parliament's largest group, Manfred Weber.
The Brief, powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) – Bulgaria’s mid-term review
Three months of Bulgaria’s EU presidency have elapsed. So how is the bloc’s poorest member faring in its debut at the helm?
Erdogan comes to leaders meeting with footage exposing ‘EU terrorism support’
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan arrives in the Bulgarian port city of Varna today (26 March) equipped with video footage that allegedly illustrates Ankara’s claim that EU countries host terrorists and do nothing to fight them.
Trans-Europe Express – EU risks escalating diplomatic crisis with Russia, says Bulgarian PM
The statement agreed by EU leaders blaming Russia for the Salisbury spy attack only risks further escalating the diplomatic crisis between Europe and Moscow, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has warned.
Borissov says Varna summit with Erdogan should be held
The Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has hinted that the planned 'leaders’ meeting' with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan should go ahead, despite conditions imposed by Cyprus in February, his press service said on Thursday (22 March).
Turkey says UN Syria ceasefire won’t affect Kurdish offensive
Turkey on Sunday (25 February) welcomed the unanimous demand by the UN Security Council for a 30-day ceasefire in Syria, but insisted that its own operation against a Kurdish militia in the Afrin region was not affected.
EU-Turkey Varna summit becomes conditional
Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiades succeded on Friday (23 February) in convincing his colleagues at the EU summit to make a planned “leaders’ meeting” with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Varna conditional on stopping “illegal violations” in the Cypriot economic zone.
Borissov: Turkey summit will be ‘extremely difficult’
An upcoming summit with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the Bulgarian city of Varna in March will be a "heavy experience", Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov told journalists on Friday (23 February), ahead of the informal EU summit.
Turkey renames US embassy street amid row over Syria operation
The street in Ankara where the US embassy is located was renamed after Turkey's offensive against a Kurdish militia yesterday (19 February), just days after the two sides agreed on the need to normalise relations.
Turkey sentences journalists, draws criticism ahead of summit
Turkey's sentencing of five journalists to life for involvement in a failed 2016 coup shows that the country's judiciary cannot make independent decisions, the president of the Association of European Journalists said on Monday and urged the Council of Europe to take action.
EU will not lift visas unless Turkey eases terrorism laws
The European Union told Turkey today (16 February) it would not ease travel requirements for its citizens unless Ankara softens counter-terrorism laws that the bloc says are excessive.
Upgraded customs union should serve as bedrock of EU-Turkey ties
Treating Turkey like a naughty child has proved to be a failed strategy for Brussels. It’s time to look anew at the elements of the relationship that could work, both now and in the long term, write Mehmet Öğütçü and Stephen Jones.
MEPs call on Turkey to lift state of emergency, stop civil society crackdown
The European parliament yesterday (8 February) called on Turkey to scrap the emergency powers which members said were being used to stifle "legitimate and peaceful opposition" and a free press.
Turkey to press for visa-free travel at Varna summit
EU diplomats expect Turkey to press the issue of visa liberalisation during the upcoming summit in Varna on 26 March. It is still unclear if this is a real priority for Ankara or just negotiating tactics as part of a bigger picture.
Erdogan to meet top EU chiefs to repair relations
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to meet top European Union officials next month in the Bulgarian city of Varna, officials said Tuesday (6 February), in a bid to repair strained ties.
Erdogan in Rome: Let Turkey be full EU member
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has rejected proposals of a partnership with the EU, insisting full membership to the bloc is the only option, in an interview published Sunday (4 February).
Are there conditions for holding EU-Turkey summit?
The European Commission and the Council offered contradictory views on Friday (2 February) on whether conditions would be attached to holding an EU-Turkey summit in the Bulgarian Black Sea city of Varna in March.